-
two monitors
Did the forum search, but I still can’t find a consensus…
What’s the final word on two 24″ Apple monitors with the MacPro (Quad)? Will both run off 1 card with the appropriate DVI-Mini DVI adapter? Or are two cards necessary? If two cards, what applications don’t play nice besides Color?
I’ve got a system coming in soon. I’d be happy with 1 30″ monitor, but my operation & engineering people really seem to want a 2 monitor setup. And they’ve been told 2 monitors & 2 cards.
Hate to waste the money for a second card if it isn’t necessary/advisable.
Thanks in advance.
-
8 Replies
-
(2) monitors, (1) card and (1) adapter, make sure you get the right adapter for the monitor you get.
-
But then you’ll have to replace your graphics card, as one connection is designed for the new Apple monitors only. But you want a better graphics card anyway.
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
Apple monitors are over priced. Dell is better…more connections, and CHEAPER.
Go Dell.
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
I built one a while ago with 2 monitors. had to use 2 GFX cards. Color worked much to my surprise. System had a Kona card as well so viewing was not an issue in FCP. It’s a waste of a slot in my opinion, already a precious commodity.
Were I to do this again and any further builds I would go single 30 inch. I also have an ulterior motive.
our new DS suites have a single 30″ monitor. We are looking at having dual purpose rooms so that a DS room could be FCP as well via gefen extenders and KVM, so a single 30 gives us the card slots and the ability to multi purpose gear and rooms.
For anyone else a single 30 allows the expansion for slots in the box. Just be aware it’s DVI-D dual link for a 30″ so distance from the host can be an issue. The dual 23 or 24 ‘s don’t have enuff cable length to have two monitors on one side of the tower without severe cable stretch, which places the tower on the desktop as well. Not well thought out as a design, and the adapters everyone speaks of can not adapt the new monitors to DVI-D only adapts from mini display port to DVI-D …Not the other way aroundDoug Beal
Editor / Engineer
Rock Creative Images
Nashville TN -
Not sure if they’ll go for non-Apple, since we get it through a corporate discount (TelePictures = Warner Bros, which has a setup with Apple). If they’ll do Dell, which models do you recommend?
As I said, my preference is still a single 30″ monitor – frankly, I’ve rarely used 2 monitors since I switched from Avid. Is there a comparable Dell in that size?
Regarding graphics card, when you say better, I assume you mean the ATI Radeon card?
-
I guess this is a good time to clarify system specs.
MacPro Quad 2.66 6 gigs RAM
3 internal 1TB drives, striped RAID 0 (Apple RAID card)
BlackMagic DeckLink HD Extreme
Sony LMD-whatever 24″ HD LCD monitorUsed for a mix of SD & HD promo work. Graphics mostly from the graphics department, so I don’t need a hot rod setup. CPU under desk, monitor close by. Pix monitor (via SDI) is farther away, but not really an issue. I’m not likely to be using Color.
So given all this, it seems a single card should be sufficient. What do you guys think?
-
Just to be clear. The cards can handle (2) monitors on each card with an adapter, even (2) 30″ but that is a different adapter. What you cannot do is use (2) of the new 24″ Apple monitors but you CAN use any (2) DVI monitors. So if you go with (2) Dells you do not need another card.
-
[Michael Sacci] “Just to be clear. The cards can handle (2) monitors on each card with an adapter, even (2) 30″ but that is a different adapter. What you cannot do is use (2) of the new 24” Apple monitors but you CAN use any (2) DVI monitors. So if you go with (2) Dells you do not need another card. “
Absolutely the clearest explanation of this I’ve seen and that is what was confirmed to me yesterday.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR Apple Color Training DVD available now!
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up